Plant Profile: Acer fabri

Names

Emerald Jade Maple, Faber's Maple

  • Photo of Acer fabri (Acer fabris)

Phonetic Spelling:AY-ser

Genus:Acer

Species:fabri

Family:Sapindaceae

Emerald Jade Maple is a unique evergreen vine maple found in Vietnam and China. Its slender, unlobed leaves set it apart from typical maples. While it may face challenges in zone 7, it thrives in zone 8 and warmer regions. In cooler climates, this plant retains its foliage throughout the year, whereas in warmer areas, it may shed its leaves. For optimal growth, it should be planted in well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Although it can tolerate some sunlight, it excels in shaded environments, where its red-tipped stems and distinctive bark provide visual interest during the winter months. This species is often cultivated as a houseplant due to its ability to thrive in low light conditions. Additionally, it is resistant to deer browsing and can be effectively used for bonsai cultivation.

Acer fabri Feature Summary

Acer fabri Image Gallery

Tags

#small tree
#houseplant
#wildlife plant
#moths
#bonsai
#interiorscape
#winter interest
#showy fruits
#deer resistant
#nighttime garden
#glossy leaves
#red fruits
#larval host plant
#evergreen tree
#purple fruits
#moth larvae
#pollinator garden
#imperial moth

Similar Plants

Acer fabri Feature Summary

Attributes
Vietnam, South China
Members of the genus Acer support Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae which have one brood per season and appear from April-October in the south. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed.
Fruit
Red to purple two seeded samaras
Red/Burgundy
Purple/Lavender
Flowers
Pale green to white insignificant blooms
White
Green
< 1 inch
Leaves
Glossy deep green unlobed slender leaves with prominent veins and pointed tips. New spring leaves are red.
Broadleaf Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Lanceolate
Stem
New shoots have red tips
Green
Red/Burgundy
Whole Plant Traits
Broadleaf Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Acid (<6.0)
Good Drainage
24-60 feet
12-24 feet
Coastal
Piedmont
7a
7b
8b
8a
9a
9b
10a
10b
High Organic Matter
Landscape
Pollinator Garden
Winter Garden
Nighttime Garden
Shade Tree
Street Tree
Small Tree
Understory Tree
Pollinators
Moths

Acer fabri Attributes

Acer fabri: Country Or Region Of Origin

Vietnam, South China

Acer fabri: Wildlife Value

Members of the genus Acer support Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae which have one brood per season and appear from April-October in the south. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed.

Acer fabri: Life Cycle

Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody

Acer fabri Fruit

Acer fabri: Fruit Description

Red to purple two seeded samaras

Acer fabri: Fruit Type

Achene
Aggregate
Berry
Capsule
Caryopsis
Drupe
Follicle
Legume
Nut
Pome
Samara
Schizocarp
Siliqua

Acer fabri: Fruit Color

grass
Purple/Lavender
grass
Red/Burgundy

Acer fabri: Fruit Value To Gardener

Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy

Acer fabri Flowers

Acer fabri: Flower Description

Pale green to white insignificant blooms

Acer fabri: Flower Color

filter_vintage
Green
filter_vintage
White

Acer fabri: Flower Inflorescence

Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel

Acer fabri: Flower Size

1-3 inches
3-6 inches
< 1 inch
> 6 inches

Acer fabri Leaves

Acer fabri: Leaf Description

Glossy deep green unlobed slender leaves with prominent veins and pointed tips. New spring leaves are red.

Acer fabri: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Acer fabri: Leaf Color

spa
Green

Acer fabri: Leaf Type

Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple

Acer fabri: Leaf Arrangement

Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled

Acer fabri: Leaf Shape

Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate

Acer fabri: Leaf Margin

Crenate
Crenulate
Dentate
Denticulate
Doubly Crenate
Doubly Dentate
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobed
Serrate
Sinuate
Undulate

Acer fabri: Hairs Present

No
Yes

Acer fabri: Leaf Feel

Fleshy
Glossy
Leathery
Papery
Prickly
Rough
Rubbery
Slippery
Smooth
Soft
Velvety
Waxy

Acer fabri Stem

Acer fabri: Stem Description

New shoots have red tips

Acer fabri: Stem Color

grass
Green
grass
Red/Burgundy

Acer fabri: Stem Is Aromatic

No
Yes

Acer fabri Whole Plant Traits

Acer fabri: Plant Type

Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower

Acer fabri: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Acer fabri Cultural Conditions

Acer fabri: Light

Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

Acer fabri: Soil pH

Acid (<6.0)
Alkaline (>8.0)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)

Acer fabri: Soil Drainage

Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry

Acer fabri: Available Space To Plant

12 inches-3 feet
12-24 feet
24-60 feet
3 feet-6 feet
6-feet-12 feet
Less than 12 inches
more than 60 feet

Acer fabri: NC Region

Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont

Acer fabri: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

thermostat
10a
thermostat
10b
thermostat
7a
thermostat
7b
thermostat
8a
thermostat
8b
thermostat
9a
thermostat
9b

Acer fabri: Soil Texture

Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky

Acer fabri Landscape

Acer fabri: Landscape Theme

Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden

Acer fabri: Design Feature

Accent
Barrier
Border
Flowering Tree
Foundation Planting
Hedge
Mass Planting
Screen/Privacy
Security
Shade Tree
Small groups
Small Tree
Specimen
Street Tree
Understory Tree

Acer fabri: Resistance To Challenges

Black Walnut
Compaction
Deer
Diseases
Drought
Dry Soil
Erosion
Fire
Foot Traffic
Heat
Heavy Shade
Humidity
Insect Pests
Pollution
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Slugs
Squirrels
Storm damage
Urban Conditions
Voles
Wet Soil
Wind

Acer fabri: Landscape Location

Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland

Acer fabri: Attracts

Bats
Bees
Butterflies
Frogs
Hummingbirds
Moths
Pollinators
Predatory Insects
Reptiles
Small Mammals
Songbirds
Specialized Bees